Friday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 11/15/2013

Gulf states get first $113M from oil spill fines

The five states that border the Gulf of Mexico are getting $113 million to improve the environment, the first small chunk of $2.5 billion that BP and Transocean were fined as a result of criminal pleas last year following the 2010 Gulf oil spill. The grants were announced Thursday by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Louisiana is getting $67.9 million, Florida $15.7 million, Alabama $12.6 million, Texas $8.8 million and Mississippi $8.2 million. More from the AP and the Pensacola News Journal.

From promoting Florida’s bounty abroad to teaching kids about healthy eating, state chef Justin Timineri has a full plate. Growing up in Tallahassee, Justin Timineri was always poking around the kitchen as his parents and grandmother simmered sauces, baked ziti and prepared other Italian-American comfort foods. Today, as Florida’s official state chef, Timineri, 38, tries to educate diners across the state and the globe about Florida’s flavors. Read the full story and see a recipe for Citrus Glazed Gator Ribs.

Florida may have to prop up Medicaid pay for doctors

The Florida Medical Association has started lobbying lawmakers to include money in the upcoming 2014-15 fiscal-year budget to prevent doctors from falling back to lower payment rates. The FMA estimates the state's cost at about $135 million, and a state report last year put the potential cost even higher. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Venezuela’s crackdown on retailers pushes big money to Florida

Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro’s crackdown on retailers has increased the urgency for Venezuelan business owners to move their money to South Florida, if they’re able to. The government takeovers of businesses started under late President Hugo Chavez, and that contributed to major flight capital and immigration to South Florida. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]

Dropbox, a hit with consumers, is now going after business market

Dropbox is already a hit with consumers. Now it's looking to corner the business market. The online storage service already has 200 million users who save more than 1 billion files in Dropbox every day, Chief Executive Drew Houston said. Now Dropbox is looking to get businesses on board with Dropbox for Business. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Allure of the Seas scheduled for mechanical repairs[Miami Herald] One of the world’s largest cruise ships is having some big mechanical issues. Royal Caribbean International said Thursday that the 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas will be pulled out of service for a week so unscheduled repairs can be made in the Bahamas.

› Tesla coming to Boca thanks to last-minute deal [South Florida Sun-Sentinel] A last-minute agreement was hammered out Wednesday that will allow Tesla to zoom into the Town Center at Boca Raton without the City Council's green light. There's no date available yet for when the high-end electric car will be available alongside Prada bags and Coach belts.